The Catapult Mentoring Scheme at MoD

The cross-government mentoring programme, Catapult, helps civilian staff from lower socio-economic backgrounds build confidence and realise their full potential.  

Catapult matches mentees with a senior leader mentor who also acts as a sponsor, offering support, guidance, advice and direction. Mentees and mentors will be matched from different government departments.

Why this mentor scheme is important

“Evidence shows that organisations work better, and are more creative, when they have people from different backgrounds, offering different perspectives. This is even more imperative when one’s role, as in the Civil Service, is to shape what Britain looks like” 

(Social Mobility Commission – Navigating the Labyrinth) 

Success from the Catapult Mentor Programme

Nearly half (45%) progressed to either a new role or promotion following attendance on Catapult, nearly two thirds were promoted and just under a third moved to a new role at the same grade. In terms of mentors 79% acknowledged that the scheme had helped develop their own mentoring skills and 75% felt that the scheme had enabled learning more about other departments. Catapult offers something for all those that take part.